nationalize
verb
na·tion·al·ize
ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz 
nationalized; nationalizing
1
: to give a national character to
2
: to invest control or ownership of in the national government
Examples of nationalize in a Sentence
The government nationalized the health-care system in the mid-1950s.
nationalizing the country's oil supply
Recent Examples on the Web
After Fidel Castro seized power during the Cuban Revolution in 1959, Cuba’s utility company became nationalized.
—
Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
In 1951, however, Iran’s new Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh severed ties with Israel as part of an effort to nationalize oil in Iran and push out a British monopoly over the industry.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 May 2025
For instance, if governments decide to nationalize AI labs or restrict the release of cutting-edge AI models due to national security or existential concerns, capability differentiation among commercial labs might disappear.
—Axel Backlund, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
At the same time, the Kremlin has begun an increasingly aggressive effort to nationalize private-sector assets.
—Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalize
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Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
In 1951, however, Iran’s new Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh severed ties with Israel as part of an effort to nationalize oil in Iran and push out a British monopoly over the industry.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 May 2025
For instance, if governments decide to nationalize AI labs or restrict the release of cutting-edge AI models due to national security or existential concerns, capability differentiation among commercial labs might disappear.
—Axel Backlund, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
At the same time, the Kremlin has begun an increasingly aggressive effort to nationalize private-sector assets.
—Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalize
Cite this Entry
“Nationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalize. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nationalize
verb
na·tion·al·ize
ˈnash-nəl-ˌīz
-ən-ᵊl-
nationalized; nationalizing
1
: to make national
2
: to remove from private ownership and place under government control
nationalize railroads
Legal Definition
nationalize
transitive verb
na·tion·al·ize
ˈna-shə-nə-ˌlīz
nationalized; nationalizing
: to invest control or ownership of in the national government
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